soon tracked leaders, no extra approaching straight
soon led, headed approaching 4 out, 3rd before straight, soon 4th and no impression 2 out, kept on same pace
soon mid-division, no impression approaching straight, kept on same pace
soon tracked leaders, 3rd 3 out, challenged in 2nd after next, led before last where left further in front, stayed on well run-in
prominent, dropped to moderate 6th before straight, soon no extra
soon mid-division, no impression approaching straight, kept on same pace
always prominent, 3rd approaching last, soon no impression under pressure, kept on same pace
towards rear, no extra approaching straight
soon mid-division, moderate 8th before straight, soon no impression, kept on without threatening
rear of mid-division, no danger approaching straight, kept on
soon tracked leaders, 7th approaching straight, soon no impression, kept on same pace
tracked leaders, jumped badly right for most, led approaching 4 out, headed before last where still a chance when bad mistake, no impression and kept on same pace run-in
mid-division, no impression approaching straight, kept on same pace
soon mid-division, no impression approaching straight, kept on same pace
soon mid-division, moderate 7th before straight, soon no impression, kept on
tracked leaders, no extra approaching straight
towards rear, no extra approaching straight
towards rear, no extra approaching straight
held up towards rear, no impression approaching straight
prominent, moderate 5th before straight, soon no impression, kept on same pace
towards rear, no danger approaching straight, kept on
towards rear, no extra approaching straight
A strong start to a brilliant card with CITY SLICKER taken to get the champion trainer off to a winning start. The easy winner of a Fairyhouse bumper in December, he started favourite on his hurdling bow over 2m4f at Leopardstown but faded in the straight after being prominent throughout. That will have brought him on and he can see off the challenge of Some Drama, who led from two out until the closing stages over 2m4f at Fairyhouse and will be better suited by today's trip. Irish Thistle won a bumper here last March and ran well for a long way behind Don Cossack over this track and trip in November but Maple Lady may need the run as she hasn't been seen since landing a Cork bumper almost two years ago.
Aztec Chief (IRE) Great Palm gelding out of Wigwam Mam.
Davyroy (IRE) 20-1 (11-12) Mid-division, headway into 5th after 4 out, ridden 2 out, no extra in 7th entering straight, kept on one pace, 6th of 13, 11l behind Born In Fire (11-10) at Punchestown 2m 4f mdn hdl hvy.
I See No Stones (IRE) 50-1 (11-1) Always towards rear, tailed off, 9th of 14, well behind Defy Logic (11-12) at Fairyhouse 2m mdn hdl hvy.
Irish Thistle (IRE) 20-1 (11-12) Tracked leaders, 6th 5 out, ridden in moderate 4th entering straight, moderate 3rd from 3 out, kept on one paced, 3rd of 15, 23l behind Don Cossack (11-12) at Navan 2m mdn hdl hvy in Nov.
Maya Quest (IRE) 15-2 (11-12) Prominent, lost place approaching straight, soon no extra, 10th of 16, well behind Courtly Conduct (11-12) at Limerick 2m mdn hdl hvy in Dec.
Rolling Rocket (IRE) 66-1 (11-12) Rear of mid-division, 10th halfway, no threat in straight, kept on one pace, 7th of 14, 19l behind Courageous Cry (11-2) at Limerick 2m mdn hdl hvy in Nov.
Some Drama (IRE) 8-1 (11-1) Soon prominent, led 2 out, joined and clear of remainder from before last, headed and kept on without matching winner closing stages, 2nd of 12, 1/2l behind Carsonstown Bridge (11-4) at Fairyhouse 2m 4f mdn hdl hvy in Jan.
The Four Gees (IRE) Overbury gelding out of Amoroso.
Twice Returned (IRE) 13-8fav (11-7) In rear, pushed along 7f out, some modest progress from 3f out, no impression, 6th of 14, 27l behind Melanjo (11-0) at Gowran Park 2m 4f N H flat hvy in May.
Another Challenge (IRE) 4-1 (11-3) Chased leaders, 4th halfway, 7th entering straight, ridden after 3 out, no impression in 4th 2 out, kept on one pace, 3rd of 18, 28l behind Blissful Moment (11-12) at Navan 2m mdn hdl hvy in Jan.
Anthem Royale (IRE) 7-2 (11-4) Tracked leader in 2nd, ridden and dropped to 4th after 3 out, soon no extra, left moderate 3rd after last, 3rd of 9, 38l behind Sizing Jo'burg (11-4) at Downpatrick 2m 2f 4yo mdn hdl sft in Nov.
City Slicker (IRE) 9-4fav (11-9) Took keen hold tracking leaders, led from 5th, ridden entering straight, headed before last, weakened run-in, 4th of 13, 10l behind Mala Beach (11-9) at Leopardstown 2m 4f mdn hdl hvy in Jan.
Definite Daly (IRE) 50-1 (11-2) Towards rear, pushed along 5th, never a factor, 13th of 16, well behind Mister Hotelier (11-4) at Fairyhouse 2m mdn hdl hvy in Jan.
Pivot Bridge 14-1 (11-10) Mid-division, no impression from 3 out, 8th of 16, 41l behind King Of Firth (11-12) at Fairyhouse 2m mdn hdl hvy in Jan.
Run With The Tide (IRE) Milan gelding out of Cullian.
Theboss On Thehill (IRE) 66-1 (11-3) Mid-division best, no extra before 2 out, 14th of 20, 45l behind Legal Exit (11-12) at Leopardstown 2m mdn hdl in Jan.
Tudor Lawns (IRE) 50-1 (11-3) Always towards rear, 12th of 18, well behind Sarabad (11-3) at Clonmel 2m Maiden Hurdle (5-6yo) hvy.
Kilbeg Katie (IRE) 50-1 (11-2) Towards rear, ridden approaching 6 out, soon no impression, 11th of 14, well behind Toye Native (11-5) at Limerick 2m 3f mares mdn hdl hvy in Jan.
Maple Lady (IRE) 40-1 (11-2) Held up towards rear, good headway into 6th early straight, led just under 2f out, soon asserted, driven right out and kept on final furlong, won at Cork 2m N H flat in Mar '11 beating Ballyhoura (11-9) by 1 1/4l, 24 ran.
Mines River (IRE) 33-1 (10-12) In rear, no impression from 3 out, 8th of 13, 41l behind Mala Beach (11-9) at Leopardstown 2m 4f mdn hdl hvy in Jan.
Carrow Queen (IRE) 14-1 (10-11) Towards rear, no impression under pressure and kept on same pace from 2f out, 6th of 8, 23l behind Prideofthecastle (11-9) at Limerick 2m N H flat hvy in Dec.
Station Closed (IRE) 66-1 (11-3) Always towards rear, hampered 3rd, 17th of 20, well behind Legal Exit (11-12) at Leopardstown 2m mdn hdl in Jan.